Ice transformation detection

Abstract

An ice tray is filled with water and exposed to freezing temperature in a freezer. The freezing temperature is measured and integrated over time to obtain a monitoring parameter. The parameter is compared with a predetermined freezing standard for detecting transformation of the water into ice.

Accordingly, what is desired to be secured Letters Patent of the United States is the invention as defined and differentiated in the following claims in which we claim:  
     
       1. A method for detecting ice transformation in an icemaker tray comprising: 
       filling said tray with water;  
       exposing said water in said tray to freezing temperature;  
       measuring said freezing temperature; integrating said measured temperature over time commencing with filling said tray with said water to obtain a monitoring parameter; and  
       comparing said monitoring parameter with a predetermined freezing standard for detecting transformation of said water into ice.  
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1  further comprising measuring said freezing temperature remote from said ice tray. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 2  further comprising periodically comparing said monitoring parameter with said freezing standard until matching thereof, and then dumping from said tray ice transformed from said water therein. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 2  wherein said ice tray comprises a belt having rows of ice molds therein, and further comprising integrating said measured temperature over time separately for each of said rows filled with water. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 4  further comprising: 
       periodically rotating said belt tray for dumping ice formed in an end row of said ice molds;  
       filling with water a forward row of said ice molds disposed at an opposite end of said belt tray; and  
       integrating separately said measured temperature over time for each of said ice mold rows between said forward and end rows.  
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 5  further comprising controlling said freezing temperature in response to said measured temperature used in integration thereof over time. 
     
     
       7. A method for detecting ice transformation in an ice tray belt having rows of ice molds therein comprising: 
       filling with water said rows of said ice molds from forward to end rows thereof at opposite ends of said ice tray belt;  
       exposing said water in said ice tray rows to freezing temperature;  
       measuring said freezing temperature:  
       integrating said measured temperature over time separately for each of said rows commencing with filling thereof with water to obtain corresponding monitoring parameters for each of said rows; and  
       comparing said monitoring parameters with a predetermined freezing standard for detecting transformation of said water into ice for each of said rows.  
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 7  further comprising periodically comparing said monitoring parameter for said end row with said freezing standard until matching thereof, and then dumping from said end row ice transformed from said water therein. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 8  further comprising: 
       periodically rotating said belt tray for dumping ice formed in said end row;  
       filling with water said forward row of ice molds disposed at said opposite end of said belt tray; and  
       integrating separately said measured temperature over time for each of said ice mold rows between said forward and end rows.  
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 9  further comprising measuring said freezing temperature remote from said ice tray belt. 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 9  further comprising controlling said freezing temperature in response to said measured temperature used in integration thereof over time. 
     
     
       12. An icemaker comprising: 
       an ice tray;  
       means for filling said tray with water;  
       a refrigeration system for exposing said water in said tray to freezing temperature;  
       a temperature sensor for measuring said freezing temperature;  
       a controller configured for integrating said measured temperature over time commencing with filling said tray with said water to obtain a monitoring parameter; and  
       said controller being further configured for comparing said monitoring parameter with a predetermined freezing standard for detecting transformation of said water into ice.  
     
     
       13. An icemaker according to  claim 12  wherein said temperature sensor is positioned remote from said ice tray. 
     
     
       14. An icemaker according to  claim 13  wherein said controller is further configured for periodically comparing said monitoring parameter with said freezing standard until matching thereof; and further comprising means for dumping from said tray ice transformed from said water therein. 
     
     
       15. An icemaker according to  claim 13  wherein: 
       said ice tray comprises a belt having rows of ice molds therein; and  
       said controller is further configured for integrating said measured temperature over time separately for each of said rows filled with water.  
     
     
       16. An icemaker according to  claim 15  further comprising a motor operatively joined to said belt tray and controller, and wherein: 
       said filling means are operatively joined to said controller;  
       said controller is further configured for periodically rotating said belt tray for dumping ice formed in an end row of said ice molds, and filling with water a forward row of said ice molds disposed at an opposite end of said belt tray; and  
       said controller is further configured for integrating separately said measured temperature over time for each of said ice mold rows between said forward and end rows.  
     
     
       17. An icemaker according to  claim 16  wherein said controller is operatively joined to said refrigeration system for controlling said freezing temperature therefrom in response to said measured temperature from said temperature sensor used in integration over time. 
     
     
       18. An icemaker according to  claim 17  further comprising a single temperature sensor for controlling both said refrigeration system and said ice transformation monitoring.